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Sporting KC trio leads MLS All-Star First XI picks

JimmyNielsen (Getty)

Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen, defender Aurelien Collin and midfielder Graham Zusi headlined the list of players chosen as part of Major League Soccer's All-Star First XI.

The selections, made by a combination of voting by fans on three different platforms: via the league website, text voting and Twitter.

Landon Donovan made his 12th straight MLS All-Star team, breaking the record for consecutive seasons selected he previously held with Eddie Pope.

Here are the selections:

GOALKEEPER– Jimmy Nielsen (Sporting KC)

DEFENDERS– Steven Beitashour (San Jose Earthquakes), Aurelien Collin (Sporting KC), Jay DeMerit (Vancouver Whitecaps), Heath Pearce (New York Red Bulls).

MIDFIELDERS– David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Graham Zusi (Sporting KC), Dwayne DeRosario (D.C. United)

FORWARDS– Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

The MLS All-Star First XI is not necessarily the starting lineup for the MLS All-Stars that will take on Chelsea in the All-Star Game on July 25th. D.C. United head coach Ben Olsen will select the rest of the squad, and the starting lineup. MLS commissioner Don Garber will also make two selections for the roster.

What do you think of the selections? Think the fans got the picks right? Which selections do you think were the worst? Who are you glad to see make the First XI? Who is the most glaring ommision?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Dude, have you ever actually watched Nielsen play? SKC’s back four has been in significant turmoil over the last month or so with injuries to pretty much everyone except Chance Myers, and Nielsen has continued to play extremely well.

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  2. You could say the same for Ryan Meara and Andy Gruenebaum. No matter how you cut it, I think a deserving GK is going to end up getting left off the All-Star roster.

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  3. As a KC fan, I think it’s the opposite. He bails the back four out a lot when they press upfield too much and leave too much space in the back.

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  4. I would believe the selection process more if fans were allowed to vote ONCE… rather than once per day which is a joke.

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  5. Nielsen is going to be scored on at will in this game. He won’t have a back 4 who play together and have a fairly impressive partnership in front of him. He is the most overrated keeper in the league.

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  6. There are many more worthy All-Stars than just the first XI, and it will be interesting to see the additional picks. b said picked many of the obvious candidates, like Pontius, Sene, Alonso, Beckerman, Bernardez, Kennedy. I would add Olave, maybe Koevermans. Others can chime in with more names.

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  7. The fact that the “First XI” only represents 6 (less than 1/3) teams, one of which isn’t even in contention for a playoff spot, shows how silly the process is.

    Nice to see players like Beitashour and Zusi get props, though.

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  8. Wow. Some brutal snubs here. How do you think Dan Kennedy feels about playing for Chivas and their oh, about what, 50 season ticket holders right now?

    Reply

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